US President Donald Trump did not anticipate being drawn into a prolonged confrontation in the Middle East, a development that has ultimately created serious challenges for Washington. This assessment was offered by University of Chicago professor John Mearsheimer during a broadcast on a YouTube channel.

According to Mearsheimer, Trump entered the conflict expecting a swift and decisive campaign rather than a drawn-out struggle. In his view, the US leader appeared to рассчитывать on a quick operation resembling previous interventions — a rapid strike, a symbolic victory, and a triumphant conclusion marked by public celebration.

The professor expressed skepticism that Trump would be able to secure a peace agreement with Iran on terms favorable to the United States. He argued that the conflict’s evolution into a war of attrition places Washington at a significant disadvantage, particularly given Iran’s considerable strategic leverage.

Mearsheimer noted that the United States is заинтересовано in reaching a deal as quickly as possible, and Trump himself is eager to achieve that outcome. However, the expectation of imposing American terms on such an agreement appears unrealistic under current conditions. Iran, for its part, is not rushing to alter its course, choosing instead to maintain the status quo while рассчитывая strengthen its position over time and enter future negotiations from a stronger footing.

The military campaign involving the United States and Israel against Iran has been ongoing since February 28, with both sides regularly exchanging strikes. Authorities in Tel Aviv state that their primary objective is to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Washington, in turn, has threatened to dismantle Iran’s military capabilities and has called for a change of власти. Iran emphasizes its readiness to defend itself and maintains that there are currently no grounds for resuming negotiations.